Rafael
reaches
the final

After the semi-final was delayed for rain, Nadal overcame an early break and dominated the rest of the way, with Raonic’s big serve proving no match for his all-round game.

The fifth-ranked Spaniard will play countryman Nicolas Almagro in Sunday’s final after he defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2, 6-1 to reach his second clay-court final of the year.

Nadal has won 38 straight matches on the Real Club de Tenis’ outdoor red clay and has reached six straight finals — winning three — since returning from a seven-month injury layoff due to tendinitis in his left knee.

His eight-year winning run at Monte Carlo ended last weekend when he lost in the final to world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

His last loss at the Barcelona Open came 10 years ago to Spain’s Davis Cup captain, Alex Corretja.

Raonic started strong and broke Nadal to love to go up 2-0 after having struck two aces in his first service game.

But after that initial misstep, Nadal wouldn’t give up a single break chance while converting five of 11 to ease past his rival.